Twenty-One: Discoveries

Astrid opened her eyes and frowned, her face and head hurting fiercely. She knew she wasn't in her own bed and the antiseptic smell of her surroundings told her that she was in a hospital. The white walls, harsh lights and crisp gown all told her that while she wasn't at home, she was in a normal room, not the ER and she lay still, trying to force her mind back to what had happened.

The match! They were winning and she had been focussed on the cross, seeing Hilde give the signal for a mid-box delivery. Cameron hadn't jumped at all for that one, ducking...which was strange for the girl was a good header and it would have been a golden chance for her position was better than Astrid's. But the Captain had jumped as well and her opposing number had leapt at the same time, her elbow cracking round.

Look out!

Someone had shouted...but the words sounded just as she was heading the ball.

And then the elbow had connected and everything had shattered at the impact. She thought she heard the cheers of a goal as she slammed into the turf and the world went black.

There were fragments...green eyes leaning over, worried. Warm hands pressed against her cheeks. A familiar voice giving orders. And then...she was in an ambulance with an uncomfortable collar and oxygen over her face...a doctor checking her over, lights shining in her eyes and questions...a brief turn in the MR scanner-hot, loud and very claustrophobic...and then her friends, visiting her before her Mom arrived...

And Hiccup Haddock. What had he been doing there? He had started the year tripping her and messing around and then insulting in her the project. And she was sure he had known about the attack on her...but he had lied to help Cami and now what was he doing? Had he come to gloat? Had Cami arranged the whole thing? And was he in on it?

Then she blinked.

Hiccup was her friend now, his life shattered and turned on by his friends. He had protected her from another attack by Snot and his buddies, though they had denied it, and she had given him a chance, visiting him at his wretched home and welcoming him into her group of friends. And when he wasn't being sarcastic and defensive, he was a smart guy with a good sense of humour and he was fun to be with. She frowned and slowly sat up, seeing her Mom sleeping in the chair. Marta Hofferson's blue eyes opened and she smiled wearily, sitting up and running her hands though her dishevelled blonde hair.

"How's my beautiful daughter today?" she asked, her voice hoarse with lack of sleep and Astrid tried to smile, then whined and raised and hand to her swollen cheek, the IV taped to her hand flopping as she moved.

"Not very beautiful, I think," she mumbled, her voice muffled by the swelling. "I think I look like I just wrestled a dragon." She frowned. "Did we win?" Marta smiled.

"I believe so," she said cheerfully. "You scored just as the collision happened and then the team scored four more goals after you were taken off. Your friend Cameron got a hat trick!"

She's no friend of mine, Astrid thought darkly but nodded.

"That's good," she managed. "Are you okay, Mom? You look tired..." Her mother sat on the edge of the bed and took her hand, smiling gently.

"Nothing would keep me away from my daughter's side," she genuinely, squeezing Astrid's hand. "You have no idea how worried I was when I was called by your friend Finlay to tell me you had been hurt." She chewed her lip. "But I would never stop you doing what you love, my daughter. You have to be the brave, amazing person I love even if it means some injuries." She smiled wanly. "I just wish you could duck better."

"Me too," Astrid sighed, squeezing her hand back. She felt horribly guilty not only for the injury but for the fact she knew there was a campaign against her by Cami who she had never had the heart to tell her mother was the opposite of a friend. And she almost-almost-volunteered to quit but the memory of her parents watching her, their faces lit by her achievements stopped her. "So are they going to let me out today?" she checked. Marta sighed.

"Maybe," she admitted. "You've got a cracked cheek and a concussion. Yesterday you didn't recall beyond the first week of term so they want to run more tests today." Unable to help herself, Astrid groaned.

"At least can my friends visit me?" she asked and Marta nodded.

"Your phone is charged and in the drawer," she said. "I'll let you call them in peace while I go get some breakfast and freshen up..." Astrid leaned forward and caught her hand as she got up.

"Thanks, Mom," she said and pulled her into a hug. "Sorry about worrying you. Love you." Marta hugged her fiercely.

"I love you too," she said.

oOo

It was mid-morning when her friends arrived, eager to see her and happy to spend part of their precious Saturday with their friend. Astrid smiled painfully as Anna, Kristof and Fishlegs came in, grinning and bringing her candy and 'Get Well' cards. She hugged them and then tried not to look embarrassed as they stared at her swollen and black cheek .

"Wow," was Anna's judgement and Astrid shrugged.

"Yeah," she sighed. "I look a mess, right?" Fishlegs gave a self-conscious laugh.

"Um...yeah..." he admitted. "But you still scored as you went down. It was amazing. And then the Captain of the Meatheads and three other team members were all sent off!" Astrid fiddled with the sheet and shrugged.

"Mom told me we won-and that Cami scored three times," she said dully. The friends shared a look at her tone, Hiccup's suspicions running through their minds.

"But how hard is it to score against seven people?" Kristof reminded her. "You scored twice when they were at full complement! You were voted 'Man of the Match' despite Cami's hat trick." There was a pause and Astrid face a small smile.

"I bet she didn't like that," she commented dryly and Anna giggled.

"I believe she swore. Loudly. Twice. According to Olaf and Sven," Kristof added with a grin.

"I bet the Coach was furious," Astrid smiled and her friends began to laugh.

"Better watch out-she'll be poisoning your hospital food next," Anna warned her, giggling at her expression.

"Yeah-you may need Hiccup as your taster then," Fishlegs suggested and then there was a silence.

"Hiccup?" she murmured, blinking. Fishlegs sighed.

"When you went down, he was off like a rocket," he explained. "He knew exactly what to do, protecting your neck, helping the medics, ordering me to call your Mom, ringing your work..." He stared at the blonde. "Basically, he was awesome." She stared at him in shock, shaking her head.

"But why would Hiccup...?" she murmured. There was an awkward silence and then Fishlegs frowned.

"Yesterday, it was pretty clear that you didn't remember anything from the last few weeks," he started. "So how much do you remember from the match and the last couple of weeks?" Astrid rolled her eyes and she huffed.

"I recall the match, the fact their Captain elbowed me in the face, the fact you guys were there because Mom was at work. I recall I had been doing well on the project, I recall Hiccup was now my partner and we let him into the group. I recall...his parents died and his friends dumped him. I got him a job at the Diner." Her eyes widened. "I told him to go away, didn't I?"

"Yup," Kristof said. "Just like I upset him when I asked him why he cared when he took charge and made sure we called your Mom, got your things and he even drove us to the hospital."

"He looked pretty hurt when you told him to go," Anna added. "But he went anyway-no snarking or sass, just a smile and then he went."

"Is he coming back?" she asked suddenly and there was a pause.

"We don't have his number and he left," Fishlegs repeated. "I think he's gone." Astrid shook her head.

"No he isn't," she said firmly. "Call the nurses and get them to hand over my release papers. We need to go and see him."

"We?" Anna asked.

"Okay-me!" Astrid said briskly. "Look-I forgot he was my friend! I mean, how awful is that? The guy has lost his family, his home and his friends-and then his new friend tells him to get lost when he's been amazing in looking after her when she's been elbowed in the face!"

"Possibly being elbowed in the face may have had something to do with that?" Anna suggested wryly and Astrid flung the bedclothes back.

"Where are my clothes?" she demanded and Fishlegs handed over her bag. "Okay-wait outside while I change-or better, get the nurse!" she ordered and Fishlegs led them out. Astrid dug in the bag and grabbed her underwear.

"I am not letting you think you haven't got friends, Hiccup," she muttered to herself. "Even if I have to walk all the way to your apartment!"

oOo

Hiccup had not bothered to get up on Saturday morning, tired from his shift at the Diner and thoroughly depressed. No matter how much he had told himself that Astrid had definitely got a concussion and so would probably be a bit confused and maybe have some memory loss, it hurt when he was ordered from the hospital room. He hadn't been her friend for long but now he was wishing that he had-because it would have saved him once more from the pain of rejection. Especially when he had done well for her-and he knew he had done well. But Cami had got her wish and Astrid was injured, though not permanently out of the team.

He rolled onto his back and flung his arm across his face, groaning. He wished with all his heart he could have told the coach that Cami had been talking to the Meathead Captain right before she took out Astrid. And though it may be a coincidence, he knew she shouldn't have been talking to the opposition during a match. And his credibility was close to zero, for it was no secret that Cameron had broken up with him. Would his accusation just seem like a callow attempt at revenge?

And then he sat up slowly. Maybe he could find someone who had been videoing the game and had captured Cami's illicit discussion-that was probably his only chance of stopping her. He ran his hands up over his face and through his hair and then he sighed as Toothless looked up with a small whine and bounced onto the bed, snuggling against the young man.

"Yeah, bud-we'll need a walk soon," he murmured. "Can I just get a shower?" The dog licked him and he gave a defeated chuckle. "And I guess that doesn't wash out either!"

Gobber had already gone to the shop when he emerged and after a very quick and cold shower, Hiccup made himself pancakes and bacon-which Toothless stole. Laughing, the boy had eaten his baconless pancakes because he couldn't bring himself to yell at the mutt, especially when Toothless looked so alarmed at Hiccup's reproachful voice. Then the boy had grabbed his jacket, scarf, hat, gloves and the dog's leash so they had set out...only as far as the car. Tail wagging and panting eagerly, Toothless had obediently clambered into the car and they had headed back towards Raven Point, even though the weather was grey and drizzly. Toothless was eager and excited as they swung up the winding road and Hiccup grinned as the dog turned round and settled down on the passenger seat, watching as they finally pulled up the small road and onto the hard standing. Finally, Hiccup switched the engine off and turned to the dog.

"Okay, bud...fancy a walk...?" he asked and the dog gave a small yip as the boy clipped the leash onto his collar and then got out, feeling the dog pull on the leash as he bounded out...and then looked up at Hiccup with a small whine. The boy sighed and crouched down, hugging the dog. "It's okay, bud-I won't let anyone harm you...but I need to check what's going on here..." he murmured. Giving a small wag, the dog walked beside the boy as they trudged up to the cove first and walked all the way round the rim, allowing Toothless to enjoy himself sniffing and exploring the area. For a brief time, he forgot he was orphaned and living with Gobber and instead, he was just a boy on a walk with his dog.

Eventually, they were back where they started and Hiccup headed back towards the forest, feeling Toothless pull against him. Pausing, he nodded and then took the dog back to the car, letting him back in and hugging him again.

"That's no problem, bud," he said gently. "You did well-and hopefully, when the weather is better, we can have some good times in the cove. And don't worry-they aren't getting you back! You wait here. I won't be too long." And then he closed the door, leaving the window open a crack to ensure the dog had fresh air. And then he turned and determinedly walked into the woods.

There were no sounds of machines now, just the faint patter of the drizzle and the constant pressure of the wind as he made his way carefully through the damp forest, the soggy dying bracken and brambles tugging at his jeans as he made his way to the tree line, which he was now certain was further back than it should be and came face to face with the fence that was within his own land. He stared at the churned up mud and the porta-cabins over what had been open woodland and heath and blinked. He could recall his father looking across the vista, his arm proudly around Hiccup's shoulder-though he had not been paying attention properly-and explaining how he had plans to ensure everyone would enjoy the beauty of the area.

But it's not beautiful now and I wish I had been able to stop this, he thought quietly. But I will die before I let them ruin this as well I promise, Dad. Then he inched along the fence, taking pictures with his camera of the mess, the development, of what were definitely foundations and the basis of roads and of the cabins and machines. He leaned forward-andthen he heard the barking, seeing the ferocious dogs that had attacked Toothless days earlier. Rapidly, he backed away and began to run back towards the car.

He stumbled and tripped but managed to get back to his feet and scrambled on, hearing the dogs barking grow closer. Sprinting, he read towards the car, pressing the key to unlock it and leaping in. Toothless was growling on the passenger seat, his hackles raised and teeth bared. Desperately starting the engine, Hiccup pulled away and skidded down the narrow lane and onto the road. Knuckles white on the wheel, he didn't slow down until they were back in town and Toothless had finally calmed down, licking his elbow reassuringly as Hiccup felt his pulse gradually slow down to normal. Finally, he pulled into he space outside Gobber's apartment.

"Bud-those dogs are mean," he murmured and switched off the engine. Then he looked at his phone. "Let's give them something to keep them busy." He thumbed in a familiar number and wailed for the dial tone to sound.

"Hello?"

"Mr Hoark? This is Hiccup Haddock. I'm really sorry to call you on a Saturday but I really need your help." He paused. "I know this is a lot to ask from someone with very little money-but I need you to speak to a judge about the illegal developer up by Raven Point. I need you to get an injunction to stop them building before they ruin the area."

"That is a lot to ask," the lawyer said, though his voice wasn't unfriendly.

"I know...but if we don't do anything, they'll destroy the area...and the land my father gave me," Hiccup said. "I don't care what it costs or how difficult it is-I have to protect Raven Point and the Cove."

There was a long pause.

"I'll do it," Hoark said.